My kids aren't veggie fans, either.

I think most parents push the "growing strong and healthy" angle. Don't feel bad, you sneaky mommy. Hehe.

Does he know that broccoli makes him healthy and strong "like daddy"? That's something that (sometimes) helps with my boys. Also re-naming foods something gross/creepy helps my guys, but they're a little bit older.

Does he know that broccoli makes him healthy and strong "like daddy"?

That's my other oft-used phrase.

Also re-naming foods something gross/creepy helps my guys

hmmmmm......what would you name spinach?

cooked? How 'bout snake intestines?

I like that, Gid.

Forest sludge (cooked)

Popeye's Putrid Snack (fresh leaves)

Of course, I don't know if that's appropriate for younger kids, but my boys love Fear Factor type names.

(Dismembered Head works good for lettuce, LOL)

We could never get our kids to eat anything but cut vegetables(carrots, celery, etc) dipped in salad dressing. If all else fails, I guess there's always the vitamins.  

when he gets to be a teenager and half our salary is spent on groceries to keep him fed, you'll look back on the times you had to encourage and coerce him to eat with nostalgia. And also, eventually he will only eat what he wants to eat. Now that I'm a grown man and no one can coerce me, you'll never catch me eating peas or lima beans.

I don't really care when it comes to vegetables...i'll eat pretty much whatever's in front of me unless it's something I truly detest...like sauerkraut, that is some nasty stuff.

~Zoo

I agree on the sauerkraut that is really gross. I am like zoo, I eat anything and everything and I think I always have. Whenever I said I wasn't hungry it's because I really wasn't hungry, not because I didn't like the food. I was weird I guess.

I eat anything and everything and I think I always have. Whenever I said I wasn't hungry it's because I really wasn't hungry, not because I didn't like the food.

That was me...

And also, eventually he will only eat what he wants to eat. Now that I'm a grown man and no one can coerce me, you'll never catch me eating peas or lima beans

You won't eat peas, beans or legumes of any kind.....

I had 2 cousins that never seemed to get bigger.  My mother Use to tell us that was cause they did not eat their veggies.  ONe did eventually get taller, but the other did not.  He was never much of a veggie eater.

My kids ... are so different it's not even funny. 3 of the kids will eat salad all day if I'll let 'em. The 4th ... well, if I hold a gun to his head (or threaten to remove dessert - to him it's kinda the same thing ) he'll grudgingly eat it.

For most vegetables, they're all like "Bleh, do I have to?" as a general rule. Some of them like some veggies more than others, and they're not at all in a consensus as to which ones they like. So, I found something awhile ago that WILL get them to eat their veggies, regardless of which one it is. They get a dipping sauce of their choice for the veggies. For some it's ketchup (their mother's influence) or their favorite salad dressing or steak sauce or bbq sauce. With that to mix in the veggies (or to dip the veggies in), they'll eat pretty much everything except Brussel Sprouts. Since those are one thing that *I* refuse to eat ... I'm not gonna hold that one against 'em.

HBW already stole my thunder. The fact is, taught to me by the Wanderer, that kids will grow up and eat alot and get bigger and stronger and go off to wander on their own and father little wanderers and wanerettes totally without benefit of a single pea. Don't go to war over la-la; Enjoy the uniqueness of that wonderful little boy and feed him what he will eat.

An aside: my sister wouldn't be caught dead eating green beans...but she gobbled down "smokes" if she could put them in her mouth like the Chief's cigarettes.

Well, now that I think about it...my sister is pretty small...maybe the "smokes" stunted her growth.

Well, now that I think about it...my sister is pretty small...maybe the "smokes" stunted her growth.

hahaha